This guide provides key facts about Prague, plus an interactive map to help you plan your trip. I also share the story of what inspired me to visit Prague.
Prague is a charming historical city where cobblestone roads lead you to stunning churches, historic castles, quaint shops, and beautiful town squares. It is a city steeped in rich history where locals celebrate their traditions with a cold pivo and a rousing match of hockey. Prague is a town that will steal your heart with its beauty and create memories of a lifetime.
Prague marked a milestone – my 1st trip to Europe! When thinking about my 1st trip to Europe, I had the usual suspects in mind – Italy, France, Portugal, etc. But that all changed on Christmas of 2023, when my parents shared their European vacation pictures (they visited 7 countries!). Seeing their pictures of the Astronomical Clock, St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, Church of Our Lady Victorious, and the Old Town Square ~ it was like getting shot by Cupid’s arrow, love at first sight! A few days after seeing the pictures, I booked a tour and flight and was on my way to Europe. ✈️🌍
The tour I booked was Rick Steves’ Best of Prague & Budapest in 8 Days Tour. I arrived 2 days before the tour to do some solo exploring and stayed an extra day in Budapest to visit sites not covered on the tour.
This is what I got to experience and enjoy while visiting Prague.
Click the links to visit my posts about each site and activity.
- National Gallery of Prague at Schwarzenberg Palace and at Šternberský Palace
- Church of Our Lady Victorious & Infant Jesus of Prague
- Astronomical Clock
- Old Town Hall and Tower
- Prague Castle– St. Vitus Cathedral; the Old Royal Palace; St. George’s Basilica; Golden Lane
- Jewish District – Maisel Synagogue; Pinkas Synagogue; Spanish Synagogue; Old Jewish Cemetery
- Municipal Hall (Obecní Dům)
- National Museum (Národní Muzeum) and Wenceslas Square
- Charles Bridge
Those sites were just part of my wonderful experience in Prague. On my 2nd night in Prague, I attended a magnificent classical concert at the St. Salvator Church, Vivaldi – The Four Seasons, which featured a string quintet and a soprano. With the tour, we enjoyed a dinner performance by members of the Prague Castle Orchestra, and on our last night in Prague, a private concert with a soprano, baritone, and pianist. 🎶
Interactive Travel Map
A map of my adventures in Prague! I prepared this map before my trip and then added the restaurants I visited at the end of my journey. I used green and yellow to note the museums I was interested in seeing; green meant “must-see,” while yellow meant “if I had time.” Tour group activities are noted with the orange markers. The gray, purple, and maroon markers were other places I visited while in Prague. Finally, red is for the restaurants, and blue is for the hotel.
To learn how to create your own My Maps, visit this post.
Fellow adventurers can use this map as a guide when planning a trip to Prague! Click on each icon to get more information such as address, phone number, and website for each site. You can also select the option to view the site in Google Maps.
Prague is more than its attractions and music. Unlike other major European cities that sustained extensive damage during World War II, many of Prague’s historical sites survived with relatively minor damage. Taking the time to explore the city and admire the art and architecture of its buildings makes for an inspiring and memorable adventure.
Key Facts
Language: The main language in Prague is Czech. During my time in Prague, I generally had no issues communicating as those working in the hotel, restaurants, and sites spoke some English. The only time I had a bit of a communication issue was when I visited a local bookstore.
Currency: In Czechia, the Koruna (Czech Crown) is the main currency, but some places also accept Euros. I ordered cash via Bank of America before the trip, but ATMs are available throughout Prague. Credit cards are accepted in most locations, so while in Prague, I only used cash at a local cafe and in restaurants when leaving the server a tip.
It is strongly recommended that travelers solely use ATMs associated with Czech banks, as 3rd party ATMs may not be secure.
Weather: I visited Prague during the last week of May, and it was considerably warm, with a few rainy days. Most days, temperatures were in the upper 70s (F), but it definitely felt hotter while walking around the city and climbing the hills and stairs around Prague Castle. Fortunately, evenings were cool and had a pleasant breeze. My tour guide shared that April generally has great weather and that September and October are also pleasant.
Transportation: A big bonus about Prague is that the city is rather compact, making it very walkable. From my hotel, located in the Staré Mĕsto district (Old Town), most sites were a 5 to 20-minute scenic walk. During my stay in Prague, I took public transportation only once, and that was when I visited Prague Castle with the tour group. For those who do need transport, Prague has a reliable transit network of buses, trams, and metro with stops near the major attractions.
Safety: Now, to an important topic everyone has in mind – safety. Is Prague a safe city? Yes, Prague is a safe city whether you are traveling solo or with a group. I spent considerable time walking around Prague alone and never felt unsafe, both during the day and evening. That is one of the things I enjoyed the most about Prague: the ability to explore without stressing about safety.
Excited about Prague and ready to book a trip? Visit my posts about the sites and activities you can experience in Prague, which include notes on what to expect, admission discounts, accessibility information, and much more. I also have posts about lodging and dining in Prague.
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